Automatic fire-extinguisher.



G. W. LORIMER & A. G. STOUD ER. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26', 1912.

1,100,836, Patented June 23, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CO..\VASHINGTON. D. C.

G. W. LORIMER & A. G. STOUDER.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 1912.

1,100,836, Patented June 23, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Jars VVEZJZSi H? 679027 9 W Zarz'zzyez Aayzzsaaa 6f Stazzder LUNA m COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (20., WASHINGTON, n. C

rrn STATEMENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. LORIMER, OF PIQUA, AND AUGUSTUS G. STOUDER, 0F TROY, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-'EXTING-UISHER.

ic nse.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914.-

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE W. Lonnunn and A'ooosrrUs Srooonn, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Piqua and Troy, county of Miami, and State of ()hio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Fire Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in automatically operated sprinkler systems which are put in operation when the rooms in the building in which they are installed reach an abnormally high temperature.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that will automatically distribute fire extinguisher chemicals, such as tetrachlorid, or any other well known fire extinguishing liquids or powders, when the rise in temperature of a room reaches a point which denotes an outbreak of fire.

Uur invention aims particularly to provide a cheap and eiiicient substitute for the automatic sprinkler systems commonly used. Owing to excessive cost, due to the great amount of piping and the necessity of an elevated or pressure reservoir, the automatic water sprinkler systems are beyond the means of most small manufacturing establishments, stores and residences. Our invention provides a substitute that can be installed at a low cost and possesses the capability of havin g the units which comprise the system readily movable to different localities within a room or building as determined by the fire hazard at the time; for instance, in a room in which there is a considerable fire risk a larger number of our extinguishers may be placed, and should this fire hazard diminish, as is often the case in manufacturing establishments and stores, through stock becoming depleted or the removal of the inflamm able material, the apparatus may be moved with very little expense to points of greater hazard or removed entirely, as when leaving leased premises.

Another object of our invention is to provide an extinguisher which when operated will. cause the minimum amount of damage to goods or material. This is accomplished by the use of extinguishing compounds having a very high relative fire extinguishing value compared with water, so that, owing to the character of these compounds and the small quantities used, little damage will result. In the case of the water sprinkler, it is a well known fact that the damage from water often exceeds that from the fire.

Another object of our invention is to provide a sprinkler system having an accurate thermostatic control. Most of the water sprinkler systems now in use are dependent upon the action of fusible plugs, always more or less uncertain, and considerable damage frequently occurs through this uncertain action by the operation of the system where there is no dangerous rise in tempera ture.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a view, mostly in section, of our extinguisher when operated by an electric motor, and the circuit wiring and associated apparatus for controlling said motor. This view includes a plan view of the switch which controls the operation of the motor, the electromagnet which controls the operation of the switch, and a thermostat for controlling the circuit of said magnet. Fig. 2 is a side view of the switch and magnet shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the valve which retains the liquid or powder in the receptacle when the extinguisher is not in operation. A sectional view of this valve is shown as part of Fig. 1, and a side view as part of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: shows a part of the structure shown in Fig. 1, but equipped with a mechanical motor in place of the electric motor, as shown in that figure. This form is intended for use in places where the proper current for the operation of an electric motor cannot be obtained. Fig. 5 is a view of the mechanical motor shown in Fig. 1 and as viewed from underneath. Fig. 6 is a detail, partly in section, of the distributor for the fire extinguishing material.

In the following description like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is an electric motor of suitable size and character for the kind of current and voltage used, and in this case is illustrated as a three phase induction motor. The motor per 86 forms no part of our invention, and we contemplate using any form of electric motor adapted either for direct or alternating currents, as the case may require. To this motor 1 is attached the supporting case 2 by means of the cap screws 3.

The supporting case 2 is surmounted by the cover 4, to which is attached the ring 5 by which the apparatus is attached to the ceiling of a room or to any other supporting structure. This supporting case 2 and its cover 4 may be in the form of an open frame, of which a section is shown in Fig. 1, or it may completely inclose the structures within, in which case vent holes 2 2 are provided for the admission of air to replace the loss of extinguishing fluid or powder during the operation of the device. Integral with the ring 5 is the stem 6, which extends through the cover 7 of the liquid or powder containing case 8, but is not attached thereto, as the cover 7 is designed to turn with the containing case 8, while the stem 6 is stationary.

The motor 1 has a hollow shaft 9, closed at the lower end, as shown in Fig. 6. This shaft 9 extends through the bottom of the outer case 2. To the upper end of the hollow shaft 9 is attached the containing case 8 by means of the threaded nut 10, this connection being rigid so that the case 8 will turn with the motor shaft. The downward thrust, due to the combined weight of the shaft, cup 8, motor armature and attached parts, is taken by the washer 11, which provides a bearing surface for these parts. At the lower interior of the case 8 is the valve seat 12, on which the valve 13 is normally seated. The valve 13 is threaded so that when it is re volved it will mount the threaded portion 6 of the stem 6. The closed cup 14 is attached to the under side of the valve 13, as shown. This cup is provided so that the valve may fit the stem loosely and thus turn readily thereon, and at the same time the liquid contained in the case 8 is prevented from escaping as long as the valve is on its seat. The valve seat 12 of the containing case 8 has driven in it two pins 15, opposite each other as shown. These pins fit loosely in recesses 16 in opposite sides of the valve. Normally the valve is closed, as in Figs. 1 and 4, but upon the motor being started the containing case 8 revolves with the motor shaft and carries with it the valve 13, through the driving influence of the pins 15. The valve will continue to mount the stationary stem 6 until it has traveled above the height of the pins when it will come to rest. The amount of opening of the valve 13 is governed by the height of the pins 15 and these are intended to be of a length to allow a valve opening suitable to a proper flow of the liquid.

On the stationary stem 6, we preferably, though not necessarily, provide a pair of blades 6 which will tend to prevent the formation of vortices in the liquid, due to the rapid rotation of the containing case 8 and the liquid within. These blades are in the form of a propeller, and besides preventing the formation of vortices, they may exert a considerable downward pressure on the retating liquid, thus aiding in its rapid and complete discharge.

Attached to the lower end of the hollow motor shaft 9 are the sprinkler tubes 17, each having a line of perforations, shown at 18, and end perforations, shown at 19. These sprinkler tubes have their inner ends open, as shown in Fig. 6, and connect with corresponding openings in the hollow motor shaft 9.

In the cover of the containing case S is the valve 20, held against its seat by the light compression spring 21. This valve is sup .pliedso as to allow the liquid to escape freely upon the opening of the valve 13, and is also intended to prevent evaporation at other times.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, numerals 22 are the blades of a three pole switch. These blades are pivoted at 23 and are adapted to engage, when closed, with the switch contacts 24. The switch is held. nor- :mally in an open position, as shown in Fig. 2, by the hooked armature lever 25, engaging the detent 27, which is an elongation of the center switch blade 22. Upon the operation of the electromagnet 26 the hooked armature lever 25 is disengaged from the detent 27 and, under the influence of the retractile spring 28, the switch blades 22 are brought into connection with the switch contacts 24-.

The thermostat shown in Fig. 1 is an ordinary thermometer with a wire 29 molded in the glass bulb with its end in connection with the mercury. At a point in the glass tube is molded another wire 30 with its inner end projecting into the interior of the tube and at a position corresponding to the tempera ture at which the apparatus is intended to operate. This form of thermostat is shown for ease in illustration, and we do not wish to confine ourselves to it. o prefer to use a thermostat, which is regulatable and which depends for its action on the relative expansion of two substances having widely dillerent coefiicients of expansion.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, 32 is the upper frame plate and 33 is the lower frame plate of a mechanical or gear train motor, which receives its energy from the spring 34. These upper and lower plates are held together at the proper position by the posts 35. Between the plates 32 and is contained the mechanism of the ('locletrain, which in this particular type of extinguisher is intended to rotate the hollow shaft 9, to which are attached the sprinkler tubes '7. Journaled at each end in the plates 32 and 33 is the spring winding shaft 36, which is squared at the lower end to admit of winding by means of a key. The inner end of the spring 34 is attached to this shaft by pins or in any other suitable way, and the outer end to the plate 33 by the post 38. Attached to the shaft 36 is the ratchet 39, the teeth of which, when the winding shaft is rotated in the act of winding, pass under the dog 40, which is attached to the side of the gear 41. The dog 40 is held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet by means of the leaf spring 42. The gear 41 is journaled loosely on the shaft 36 and meshes with the pinion 43 which is integral with gear 44, and they together are mounted to turn loosely on the stud 45 which is screwed in the top plate 32. The gear 44 meshes with pinion 46, which is integral with gear 47, and these turn on stud 48, secured to top plate 32. Gear 47 meshes with pinion 49, which is attached to the hollow shaft 9. Gear 47 also meshes with pinion 50, which is attached to shaft 51 which is journaled in the upper plate 32 and lower plate 33. Attached to the shaft 51 is the fan blade 52 which regulates the speed of the gear train when set in operation. Between the upper and lower plates 32 and 33, and attached to the upright post 53, is the operating magnet 54, which through its energization permits the clock-train to be set in motion by withdrawing the detent 55. The detent 55 is attached to armature 56 and in its normal position obstructs the movement of the fan blades 52, but upon the attraction of this armature, when a circuit is completed through the coils of magnet 54, the obstruction is withdrawn and the fan is allowed to rotate. Pivoted at the point 57 of the magnet yoke 58 is the lever 59, held under tension by the rctractile spring 60. When the detent 55 is withdrawn from the fan blades 52 by the action of the magnet 54, the lever 59, through the influence of the spring 60, engages in the notch 61 and holds the detent 55 in a disengaged position as related to the fan blades 52. As will be more fully explained in the description of complete operation of the apparatus to follow, it is necessary that, once the apparatus is started in motion, it shall continue until the liquid is exhausted and it is for this reason that the lever 59 is provided.

There is a possibility that the action of the thermostat will be intermittent, in that the temperature may rise to a point that would cause the energization of the magnet 54 for a very short period of time and then recede and then rise. In such a case, if it were not for the lever 59 holding the detent in a disengaged position, the clock-train would start and then stop by the energization and deenergization of the magnet. This would allow of the opening of the valve 13 and escape of the liquid while the clock-train and the distributing tubes are in a state of rest, and the liquid would consequently escape without being distributed.

In describing the general operation of the system, it will be assumed that the extinguishers, whether of the type shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4, are suspended throughout the premises at the points from which the extinguishing substance may be most effectively distributed, and that the thermostats, preferably of the type shown in Fig. 7, are mounted in exposed positions, preferably near the ceiling, so as to be susceptible to any rise in temperature which may occur in the room. While but one thermostat and one extinguisher are shown, with their accompanying circuits and control apparatus, in Fig. 1, it will be understood that any number of extinguishers may be employed merely by connecting their driving motors in multiple across the motor supply leads 80 81 and 82 leading from the switch pivot posts 23. In this manner one thermostat may be made to control as many extinguishers as are desired. It is preferred to have a thermostat for each room, letting that thermostat control the required number of extinguishers within that room, but, in case of a large room, it may be preferable to have a number of thermostats, any one of which is capable of operating all the extinguishers within the room, which is readily accomplished, as is well understood in the art, by connecting as many thermostats as may be desired in parallel with the one Whose circuit relations are shown in Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, if an abnormal temperature occurs in the vicinity of the thermostat, the circuit between the wires 29 and 30, if the thermostat is of the type shown in Fig. 1, will be closed. This will cause current from the battery 31 to energize the magnet 26, which by attracting its armature will pull the detent 25 away from the extension 27 of the middle switch lever, and thus cause the closure of the switch under the influence of the spring 28. As shown in Fig. 1, the wires 80, 81 and 82 are those leading from a source of threephase alternating current, and the closure of this switch merely serves to continue the circuit of these three wires through the corresponding wires 80 81 and 82 to the motor. The employment of a three-phase circuit in this particular embodiment of our invention is merely illustrative, and it is understood that any other form of electric motor with its necessary supply wires may be substituted for the particular type shown. In any event, the closure of the switch blades 22, upon the action of the thermostat, will cause the motor to operate.

The action of the motor will cause the containing case 8 to revolve, carrying with it, through the action of the pins 15, the disk valve 13. By virtue of the screw-threaded connection between this valve and the stationary stem 6, the valve will rise on its seat, thus opening the passage for the fluid to pass through the hollow shaft 9 and the sprinkler tubes 17. As soon as the valve 13 has risen to such a height as to clear the pins 15, it will no longer revolve, while the containing case 8 will continue to revolve as long as the motor is operated. Due to centrifugal action, the rapid revolution of the sprinkler tubes 17 will cause the extinguishing fluid or powder to be evenly distributed over a considerable area, this area depending for its extent upon the rapidity of revolution and upon the length and inclination of the tubes, as is well understood.

When once set in motion, the action of the electric motor 1 will continue until the switch blades 22 are reset by hand. The fact that the action of the motor will continue after the supply of extinguishing fluid or material has become exhausted, is productive of no ill efi'ect, since the motor will merely continue to operate idly. After stopping the motor by resetting the switch blades 22, the valve 13 is reset, this being accomplished by turning the sprinkler tubes backward by hand, thus drawing the valve down tightly against its seat. This being done, the supply of extinguishing fluid may be renewed, when the device is again ready for operation.

The spring motor driven extinguisher, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, requires no separate controlling switch, it merely being necessary to connect the magnet 54 of this device in circuit with the thermostat and source of current 31, this magnet 54 taking the place of the magnet 26, shown in Fig. 1. When this is done, the closure of the thermostat circuit, by the action of the thermostat, or by the action of any one of the thermostats if there are more than one, will energize the magnet 54 and allow the motor to operate by withdrawing the detent from the fan blade 52, as already described. hen once started, the lever 59, by engaging the notch 61, prevents the detent 55 from falling back, and this assures the continuous operation of the motor until the fluid has been exhausted and the device has been reset. In resetting the device, it is necessary, besides closing and refilling the receptacle, to manually move the lever 59 out of the notch 61, thus permitting the detent 05 to fall back in the path of the fan blade 52. It is also necessary to rewind the spring motor.

We do not wish to be confined to the exact details of construction and operation herein illustrated, as it is obvious that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit of our invention.

hat we claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic fire extinguisher, a container for extinguishing compound and a distributor for said compound, said container and said distributer being mounted for revolution together; means for revolving said parts upon a rise in temperature; a normally closed valve between said container and distributer, and means for lifting said valve upon the revolution of said parts.

2. In an automatic fire extinguisher. a container and a distributer for extinguishing compound, said container and distributer be ing mounted for rotation together, a motor for rotating said container and distributer, a passage from said container to said distributer, a valve for controlling said passage mounted to rotate with said container, and stationary screw-threaded means engaging said valve to open said valve when said container is rotated.

In an automatic fire extinguisher, a rotatable container and distributer for extinguishing material, a motor for revolving said parts, a passage from said container to said distributer, a valve normally closing said passage, said valve being mounted to rotate with said distributer, and stationary screw-threaded means engaging said valve to open said passage when said distributer is rotated.

4. In an automatic fire extinguisher, a container and a rotatable distributer for extinguishing compound, an electric motor for revolving said distributer, a valve for controlling the flow of compound from said container to said distributer, said valve be ing mounted to rotate with said distributer, a stationary member engaging said valve by screw-threaded connection for opening said valve upon its rotation and automatic means for starting said motor upon a rise in temperature.

Signed by us at Piqua, county of Miami and State of Ohio, in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE IV. LORIMER. \Vitnesses JOHN B. KING, A. G. Knnns.

AUGUSTUS G. STOUDER. lVit-nesses CnAs. J. ADAMS, V. D. Cnisr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

